Color-matching device



Sept-29, 1942. c w. BELDEN' COLOR-MATCHINGVDEVICE Filed Jan; 22,1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ji wenz arp Z 3 Wd a a n V M v a Sept. 29, 1942. c. w. BELDEN COLOR-MATCHING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1941 ii iflgifi wi CI-I ARTREUSE M05932 No.187 -BUD GREEN 0.14 2 -BERMUDA CORAL ANDWHITE No.15? -BRIDAL HOSE.

Sept. 29, 1942, c. w. BELDEN 2,297,232

' COLOR-MATCHING DEVICE I Filed Jan. 22, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 SHEEPSKIN M10915 7 DAPHNE NcLBGlE NIB-14B CIEL BLUE. ND 127 M MD A YELLDW NO 167 BUD GREE NO 211 PEACH CAROLINE NU-IS'T BRIDAL ROSE 0. 1-2 RM L AND WHITE. AND WHIT BUD GREEN mm Mmusnmuwmm I li|+UH U-H :u pE -W J ii- *5 Y 7 g. 6 -i+ 53 1 Patented Sept. 29, 1942 COLOR-MATCHING DEVICE Charles W. Belden, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to American Linen Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application January 22, 1941, Serial No. 375,439

20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in de-.

vices for assisting in the matching of colors to obtain color harmony between a dress or costume and the finishing colors of a room and/or of the furniture and/or of hangings in a room.

The invention has found valuable application in assisting in the selection of uniforms for waitresses or floor girls in restaurants, particularly where linen service is desired. The device is considered to be part of a color harmony guide system, so designed as to offer a complete color selection service, suggesting the colors for uniforms which will :be complemental to or blend correctly with a given present color scheme or contemplated color scheme for the interior decoration of a room.

Certain companies who are in the laundry business ofier a service which includes uniforms for employees in ofiices, stores and dining rooms.

The companies undertake not only to furnish the uniforms, but to wash them periodically and deliver them to those who subscribe for the service.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to enable the buyer of the service to select a color of dress or uniform which will best harmonize with the color scheme of the interior decoration of his establishment.

Color harmony is a science with which few business men are fully acquainted, and therefore it is desirable in selling the service to provide a scheme by which the buyer can obtain a fair idea of what will be the most desirable color from the esthetic standpoint. The invention is capable of other uses involving the matching of colors.

Specifically, the device is a book, with said book so constructed that color comparisons can be easily and quickly made in a number of different combinations and in relation to a transparent panel having a pictorial delineation thereon made in part by the use of opaque material, leaving certain portions such as the dress of a figure and the furniture and walls and hangings transparent.

Another and specific object is to provide a pictorial delineation on transparent material in which the most prominent single element, preferably placed in the foreground or centrally, is a dressed figure. All portions of the figure except the dress are delineated by the use of opaque material so that only color provided by one of two panels will show through the transparent portion to give color apparently to the dress so that this color may be compared or contrasted directly with another color or colors provided by another transparent portion of the delineation representing the interior decorations of the establishment. The same scheme can be used for the selection of color for a dress or costume in an office,

, or store, or other establishment, the prominent figure in such a case representing a dressed emof the base I.

ployee, or manager, or proprietor.

Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the description of the drawings, and in said drawings- Figure 1 is a front view of the book with colored panels in place in relation to a pictorial delineation, and with the colors showing through transparent portions of said picture;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the open book illustrating the arrangement and character of the removable panels;

Figures 4 and 5 are views of opposite sides of a panel, as one of a series of first panels each differing from the corresponding panel of Figure 3;

Figures 6 and 7 are views of opposite sides of a panel, as one of a series of second panels each differing from the corresponding panel of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a cross-section of a panel like that of Figures 6 and 7 and of the corresponding panel of Figure 3; and 1 Figure 9 is a perspective view of a two-colored tubular cover adapted to be drawn over any one of the series of panels like that of Figures 6, 7 and 3.

In the drawings (see Figures 1, 2 and 3) the numeral 1 indicates a base of cardboard or other suitable material for the back leaf of a two-leaf book. Laid on this base is a piece of material 2 as a lamination (see Figures 2 and 3) of U- shaped configuration cooperating with the base I to form a recess 3 which is open on the right or outer side. The front leaf of the book is formed from a single sheet having one portion 5 (see Figure 2) secured in any suitable manner, as by adhesive, to the bottom or outside face This sheet is folded upon itself as at 6 to form a two-layer front leaf as a cover for the book. The two layers are respectively designated 1, 8 and each has an opening, the openings being respectively designated Ill, ll. These openings are of the same size and *are registered. The hinging point of the cover is designated 9.

Interposed between the layers 7, 8 is a piece of transparent material I2 having a pictorial depanel, the color of which shows through only that 55 lineation thereon in part made by the use of opaque material such as paint, indicated at [4. The opaque material is applied in a manner to provide separate and distinct transparent areas, respectively indicated at [5, [6. In this case the transparent area [5 corresponds to certain areas of the walls or furniture or hangings of a room and the transparent area l6 corresponds to the area of a dress of a human figure, in this case somewhat centrally placed and dominating the scene or forming the most prominent or largest figure of the scene. In this instance, the human figure is that of a floor girl or hostess or waitress, and the scene is the interior of a dining room. One phase of the invention isdirected particularly to the use involving the color of the dress of an employee or other personin relation to the colors of a room and of the furniture and hangings or color decoration scheme thereof.

An object is to provide a means as well as a system by which to use that means for selection of colors of dresses Or costumes such that the selected color will harmonize or complement the coloring of the walls, furniture orroom decorations.

The system includes a series of reversible panels, each member of the series being adapted to removably fit in the recess 3. A cut-out I! is provided at the right'side of the base of the bottom leaf to provide for the insertion of the finger for easy removal of any panel of the series. These panels are designated 20 and are also hereinafter referred to as the first panel or asthe large panel; Each 'panel has an opening 2| which is adapted to receive a smaller panel 22 hereinafter designated as a second'panel or as a small panel. The panel 22 when'in the opening has its opposite faces flush or's'ubstantially coplanar with the corresponding face of the large panel. The panel 20 is cut out as at 25 to allow for the entry'of the finger above the panel 22 to facilitate its removal.

The panels 20 and 22 are colored on opposite sides and are reversible, that is, they can be removed and'reversed to bring any desired color uppermost and after reversal each panel can be again applied in fixed relation to the recess 3 and opening 2|.

Referring to the'panel 20. There is a series of these panels, each face of each panel having a different color thereon. Referring to Figure 3, the color of the face of panel 20 has been indicated thereon as chartreuse, followed by the number 5932, which is indicative of the source of a paint or dye of that color and which can be used to finish the walls or furniture or to dye'the hangings of the room. The number is preferably that of the manufacturer, that is, the number by which he designates or identifies the color. Also printed on the same face of the panel 28 is a list of colors, each preceded by a number. Each of the listed colors is complementary of the color chartreuse. The number and color of each item of the list corresponds to the number and color of one of the second panels 22.

Each second panel 22 also has a different color on opposite sides and in this instance the coloring is provided by sections of cloth (see Figures 8 and 9). Two colored sections are sewed together, one section being indicated at 30, and the other section at 3|. The stitched seams are indicated respectively at 32, 33. When this tubular device is slipped over the panel 22 the seams at opposite ends may lieon opposite sides of the cardboard base 35 of the panel as shown in Figure 8, 01' these seams 32 may lie at one and the same side of the cardboard base 35.

Referring to Figure 3, the numbers 187, 157 and 142 indicate the source of the corresponding color or dye, and may be the manufacturers identifying number. Each color in the list is also complementary to the color chartreuse which appears on the face of the large panel 20.

There is provided a series or set of large panels and a series or set of small panels which fit in the openings of the large panels. The different colors and different numbers on different lists of colors are so related to each other that a relatively large number of pairs of complementary colors may be matched by variously substituting small panels in the recess 2| of various large panels.

In order to reduce illustrations only two species of each kind of panel has been illustrated. In fact, only one species of each has been completely illustrated. Figures 4 and 5 represent views of opposite sides of the same large panel and Figures 6 and '7 respectively represent opposite sides of the same small panel. The large and small panels shown in Figure 3 are different from those shown in the other figures, but only one face of each of these panels has been illustrated, and printed matter on the hidden sides having been described only.

The following is a list of a few of the possible colors of the panels of the two sets and the indicia printed or otherwise produced on their faces:

Large panels-one face colored Chartreuse No. 5932. List includes No. 187Bud Green, No. 157Bridal Rose, N0. 142-Bermuda Coral and White. Opposite face colored Ocean GreenNo. 5215. List includes No. 142Bermuda Coral, No. 192Corinthian Wine and White;

' One face Sheepskin-No. 0915. List, No. 148- Ciel Blue, No. 187Bud Green, No. 157Bridal Rose and White. Opposite face, DaphneNo. 3615. List, No. 127Mimosa Yellow, No. 211 Peach Caroline, No. 142-Bermuda Coral and White;

A panel having only one face white and which need not be reversible. On this single white face is the legend Use any uniform color desired";

And, small panels-one having one face Bud GreenNo. 187, opposite face, Mimosa Yellow No. 127; one, having one face Peach Caroline No. 211, opposite face, Bridal Rose No. 157; one panel having both faces white; and one panel having one face Suntan Beige No. 152, and opposite face, Wild Orchid No. 163.

The names of some of the colors may, as herein disclosed, be somewhat fanciful. It has not been thought necessary to attempt to describe the exact shade connoted by a given color name since, as between two or more manufacturers or sellers, the same color may have a different name. The essential part of the invention herein regarding color is that a sufficiently diverse number of colors and shades be supplied to allow of a wide range of comparison and selection by the user of the service.

The device is used in the following mannerf Suppose either that it is desired to finish a room in the color of chartreuse or that the room is already finished in that color, In either case the customer wishes to know what color of costume or dress will harmonize with the color chartreuse. If the finishing has been completed no attention need be given to the ntunber 5932, since it merely identifies the painting or dye of some manufacturer or seller.

Now by looking at the printed list on the chartreuse-colored face of the panel he will see that either bud green, bridal rose or Bermuda coral or white will harmonize with chartreuse. Or suppose that ocean green is the color which is to be matched. As has been previously stated, the opposite side of the panel 20 shown in Figure 3 is colored ocean green, followed by the number 5125. Listed on the ocean green side are the colors Bermuda coral and Corinthian wine or white.

If chartreuse is the color and bud green is selected, the customer indicates that color 187 is the one desired. This number is the one used by the manufacturer or seller to identify dye which is used to color goods, or the colored goods itself, or the quality and color of the goods. As before stated, it is preferable to have the panels 22 covered with dyed cloth so that the customer can observe the quality as Well as the color of the goods which he may order.

In color harmony matching, when the color of a dress or uniform is to be matched with paint or other colored finishing material of a room, it is desirable to use colored fabric for the dress, to add realism. Thus, as heretofore mentioned, color and texture quality of the second panel (see Figures 8 and 9) is supplied by suitable colored (in this instance washable) cloth, and this cloth has a tubular form preferably obtained by sewing together two separate pieces. This tubular article is slipped over a stiff cardboard panel base. therefore to contrast this colored fabric with the color applied on a cardboard panel by painting or dyeing, whereby a color matching comparable to that between a painted surface and the cloth of wearing apparel is obtainable. Washable cloth material in tubular form is best, whether made of two differently colored sections sewed together to form a tube or whether the tube be composed of two pieces of th same color. In either instance the material can be taken off and Washed and then slipped onto the stiff base again.

It will be understood that any one of a number of large panels may be substituted for the one shown in Figure 3, all of these panels being reversible, that is, having a different color on each opposite face, and it will be noted that a plurality of different small panels may have colors which harmonize with one of the other of the face colors of each of the large panels of the series, whereby a large number of color combinations and comparisons can be obtained.

Although the construction used in the forms of the cock is specifically claimed as one phase of the invention, there is no intention to limit the invention entirely to the construction. The use of two panels, one held upon the other, to be easily detached and/or reversed, is one phase, and the number and color selecting and matching scheme using such panels in relation to separate and distinct predetermined transparent areas of a pictorial delineation is another phase.

The system of using the means herein claimed is especially desirable today when the interiors of rooms and business concerns are decorated by professionals to appeal to the esthetic tastes of the customer. t can therefore be seen that the wrong selection of uniforms for employees would or might result in inharmony of color, and it is an object of this invention to avoid such inharmony.

One phase of applicants invention is I claim as my invention:

1. A color harmony matching system, comprising a two-leafed book having on its first leaf a window bridged by transparent material, having a pictorial delineation thereon in part made by the use of opaque material and providing first and second transparent areas, the first corresponding to certain areas of a room and the second corresponding to the area of a dress of a human figure, the second leaf having removably held in a recess therein a colored panel adapted to be opposed to the first transparent area when the leaves are closed, a second colored panel removably fitting within an opening in the first panel and adapted to be opposed to said second transparent area when said leaves are closed.

2. A color harmony matching system, comprising a two-leafed book having on its first leaf a window bridged by transparent material, having a pictorial delineation thereon in part made by the use of opaque material and providing first and second transparent areas, the first corresponding to certain areas of a room and the second corresponding to the area of the dress of a human figure, the second leaf having removably fitted therein a first reversible panel adapted to be opposed to the first removably held and transparent area when the leaves are closed, the opposite surfaces of said panel being differently colored, a second reversible panel fitting within an opening in the first panel andadapted to be opposed to said second transparent area when said leaves are closed, said second panel having its opposite sides differently colored, with the colors different from the colors on the faces of said first panel.

3. A color harmony matching system, comprising a two-leafed book having on its first leaf a window bridged by transparent material, having a pictorial delineation thereon in part made by the use of opaque material to provide transparent areas, the first corresponding to certain areas of a room and the second corresponding to the area of the dress of a human figure, the second leaf having a first revisible panel adapted to be opposed to the first transparent area when the leaves are closed, the opposite surfaces of said panel being differently colored, a second reversible panel fitting within an opening of the first panel and adapted to be opposed to said second transparent area when said leaves are closed, said second panel having its opposite sides differently colored by means of sections of material secured together in tubular form as a sheath adapted to be slipped on or off of the panel.

4. A color harmony matching system, comprising a book having two leaves, front and rear, the rear leaf com rising a base section faced with a lamination formed to provide a panel-receiving recess on the inner face of the leaf, said front leaf being formed by a single sheet of paper having a portion secured to the back of the second leaf and folded on itself to provide two layers which form the front leaf, each layer having an opening, said openings bein registered, a piece of transparent material interposed between the laminations and closing the opening, said transparent material having a pictorial delineation thereon in part made by the use of opaque material and said recess of the rear leaf having a first colored panel therein, said panel having an opening therein, a second colored panel remov ably held in said opening, the first panel being adapted to register with certain transparent areas of the aforesaid delineation and the second panel adapted to register with a transparent area differing from the area with which the first panel is adapted to register. i

5. A color harmony matching system, comprising a book having two leaves, front and rear, the rear leaf having removably held thereon a first colored panel having on its face a legend indicating its face color and a number which may refer to the number of a dye or pigment of the same color and also having a printed list of colors which are complementary to the color of the panel, each item of the list having a different identifying designation number, a second panel removably held on said first panel and having a color complementary to the color of that panel and having on its face a legend indicating its color along with a number corresponding to one of the numbers of the list on the face of the first panel, said front leaf having a piece of transparent material having a pictorial delineation thereon in part made of opaque material, the color of the first panel being adapted to register with certain transparent areas of the aforesaid delineation and the color of the second panel being adapted to register with a different area of said delineation when the leaves are closed.

6. A color harmony matching system, comprising a book having two leaves, front and rear, the rear leaf having removably held thereon a first reversible panel, differently colored on opposite faces, each face having thereon a legend indicating its color and a printed list of colors which are complementary to the color of that face and each item of the list having a different number, a second reversible panel removably held on the first panel and differently colored on opposite faces, each face havin thereon a legend indicating its color and number, and that face which is uppermost having a color complementary to the color of the uppermost face of the first panel and having a number corresponding to one of the numbers of the list on the corresponding face of the first panel, said front leaf having a piece of transparent material having a pictorial delineation thereon in part made of opaque material, the uppermost color of the first panel being adapted to register with certain transparent areas of the aforesaid delineation, and the uppermost color of the second panel being adapted to register with a different area of said delineation when the leaves are closed.

7. A book having two leaves, front and rear, the rear leaf having removably held thereon a first reversible panel, differently colored on opposite faces, each face having thereon a legend indicating its color and a printed list of colors which are complementary to the color of that face and each item of the list having a different number, a second reversible panel removably held on the first panel and differently colored on opposite faces, each face having thereon a legend indicating its color and number, and that face which is uppermost having a color complementary to the color of the uppermost face of the first panel and having a number corresponding to one of the numbers of the list on the corresponding face of the first panel, said front leaf having a piece of transparent material having a pictorial delineation thereon in part made of opaque material, the uppermost color of the first panel being adapted to register with certain and a series of first and second panels of the same general character and size as the corresponding previously described panels but having different colors and different numbers and different lists of colors so related to each other and to those above described as to facilitate selection and comparison of a relatively large number of pairs of complementary colors.

8. A device of the class described comprising a first panel having a colored face having thereon a designation of its color and a number by which the color is identified, said face further havin thereon a list of color designations, each listed color being complemental to the color of that face and each having an identifying number, a second panel having a face differently colored from but complemental to the face color of the first mentioned panel, said second panel having a designation thereon indicating the color of its face and an identifying number corresponding to one of the numbers on the face of the first panel, and a sheet of transparent material having delineations thereon in part made by the use of opaque material, the first panel being adapted to register with a certain transparent area of the aforesaid delineations and the second panel being adapted to register with a certain transparent area of the delineations differing from the area with which the first panel is adapted to register.

9. A color-matching device comprising a series of first panels, each having opposite faces differently colored, each face having thereon a designation of its color and a number by which the color is identified, and each face further having thereon a list of color designations of which each color is complemental to the color of that face and each designation having an identifying number, a second series of panels, any one of which is adapted to be laid in opposition to any one of the first panels, each second panel having opposite faces differently colored and at least one of the faces being complemental to the color of one of the faces of the first panels, each face of each member of the series of second panels having a designation thereon indicating the color of that face along with an identifying number corresponding to a number on at least one of the faces of one of the members of the series of first panels, and a sheet of transparent material having delineations thereon in part made by the use of opaque material, any colored face of a member of the first series of panels being adapted to register with a certain portion of said transparent area and any colored face of a member of the second series of panels being adapted to register with a transparent area differing from that with Which the first panels are adapted to register.

10. A device of the class described, comprising a first panel having a colored face having an opening therein, said face having thereon a designation of its color and a number by which the color is identified, said face further having thereon a list of color designations, each listed color being complemental to the color of that face and each having an identifying number, a second panel removably fitting the opening of the first and having a face differently colored from but complemental to the face color of the first mentioned panel, said second panel having a designation thereon indicating the color of its face and an identifying number corresponding to one of the numbers on the face of the first panel.

11. A color-matching device comprising a series of first panels, each having opposite faces differently colored, each face having thereon a designation of its color and a number by which the color is identified, and each face further having thereon a list of color designations of whicheach color is complemental to the color of that face and each designation having an identifying number, a second series of panels, any one of which isadapted to be laid in color-matching opposition to any one of the first panels, each second panel having opposite faces differently colored and the color of at least one of the faces being complemental to the color of one of the faces of the first panels, each face of each member of the series of second panels having a designation thereon indicating the color of that face along with an identifying number corresponding to a number on at least one of the faces of one of the members of the series of first panels.

12. A device of the class described, comprising a first sheet of transparent material having delineations thereon divided into two separate areas, a second sheet of material adapted to be laid against the first sheet, a first panel removably secured to the second sheet and adapted to register with only one of said areas, and a second panel removably secured to the first panel and adapted to register only with the other of said transparent areas, the face of the second panel being entirely surrounded by the face of the first panel, and the faces of the panels being differently colored and the colors being complemental.

13. A device of the class described, comprising a first sheet of transparent material having delineations thereon divided into two separate areas, a second sheet of material adapted to be laid against the first sheet and having a recess therein, a first panel removably fitting within the recess and adapted to register with only one of said areas and having a recess therein, and a second panel removably fitting within the recess of the first panel and adapted to register only with the other of said transparent areas.

14. A system for color harmony matching, comprising two hinged-together leaves, one having an opening bridged by a transparent sheet having pictorial delineations thereon in part made by the use of opaque material, the other leaf having on its inner face a recess, a series of first panels all of the same size and adapted to fit the recess, each panel having an opening therein, and all openings of the panels being of the same size, a series of second panels all of the same size and adapted to fit the opening of any one of the first panels, each panel of the second series being colored on both faces and each color being different from that of every other, each first panel having on each colored face a desi nation of its color and a number by which the color is identified, each face having thereon a list of color designations, each listed color being complemental to the color of that face and each having an identifying number, each second panel having a color which is complemental to some color of one of the faces of the first panel, and each face of each second panel having a designation indicating the color of its face and an identifying number corresponding to one of the numbers on some one of the faces of the first panels, the first panel when introduced into the recess of the leaf being adapted to be opposed to one area of said ictorial delineation and the other panel when in the opening of the first being adapted to be opposed to another and different area of said delineation when the leaves are closed.

l5, A color-matching device comprising a base having a window bridged by transparent material, said material having thereon a pictorial delineation in part made by the use of opaque material and providing first and second transparent areas which correspond to surfaces which are 7 usually covered respectively by paint and by cloth, a support adapted to be opposed to said 'base, a. first panel removably held -on said base and colored and adapted when opposed to said first transparent area to give to it the impression of a painted surface, and a second panel removably held on the first panel and covered with a colored cloth adapted to give to the second transparent area the impression of a colored fabric finish.

16. A colon-matching device comprising a base having a window bridged by transparent material, said material having thereon a pictorial delineation in part made by the use of opaque material and providing first and second transparent areas which correspond to surfaces which are usually covered respectively by paint and by cloth, a support adapted to be opposed to said base, a first panel removably held on said base and colored and adapted when opposed to said first transparent area to give the impression of a painted surface, and a second panel removably held on the first panel and covered with a washable colored cloth adapted to give to the second transparent area the impression of a colored fabric finish, said covering being tubular and capable of being slipped off.

17. A color matching device comprising a base having a window bridged by transparent material, said material having thereon a pictorial delineation in part made by the use of opaque material and providing first and second transparent areas respectively representing the interior of a room and a dressed figure in the foreground of the room, a support of the same size and configuration as the base adapted to be opposed to and registered edge to edge therewith and having a recess, the first panel removably fitted in said recess and colored and adapted when 01 posed to the room area to give the impression that certain of its surfaces are painted, said panel having an opening therein, and a second panel removably fitting said opening and comprising a stiff base covered with a flexible fabric material of a color complemental to the color of the first panel, and of washabletype adapted to give to the dress of the figure area the impression of a colored fabric finish, said covering being of tubular material and adapted to be slipped off and on the base.

18. As an element of the color-matching device herein described, a secgnd panel adapted to fit within the first panel, and comprising a stiff base covered with a tube of flexible colored fabric material of washable type and adapted to he slipped off and on said base.

19. As an element of the color-matching device herein described, a second panel adapted to fit within the first panel and comprising a stiff base covered with a tube of flexible fabric material of washable type adapted to be slipped off and on said base, and composed of two separate and difierently colored pieces of material, one for each face.

20. A color-matching system comprising a series of first reversible panels differently colored on opposite sides, the colors of all sides of all first panels being different and each panel having an opening therethrough, a series of second reversible panels each of a size to removably fit into the opening of any one of the series of first panels, each colored face of each one of the series of first panels having thereon a designation of its color and a number by which the color can be identified, and each face of each one of the first panels having also a list of color designations thereon, each listed color being complemental to the color of that face and each having an identifying number, each face of each one of the series of second panels having a designation thereon indicating the color of that face and a number corresponding to one of the numbers on one face of one of the series of first panels, the

colors of the faces of the members of the series of second panels being complementary to the colors of the faces of the members of the series of the first panels, anda transparent sheet having pictorial delineation thereon in part made by the use of opaque material and providing first and1 second transparent areas, the faces of any pair of panels when one is within the opening of the other being adapted to give color separately re- 10 spectively to the first and second transparent 

